Scan barcode
timmytunter's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Trent Dalton's "All Our Shimmering Skies" is an absolute gem of a novel that left me thoroughly enchanted and deeply moved. From the very first page, I was drawn into the vibrant and often harrowing world of 12-year-old Molly Hook, a protagonist you can't help but love. Molly is brave, bold, sassy, and honest, but most of all—perhaps unjustifiably so—hopeful. I couldn’t NOT cheer her on earnestly throughout her fantastical journey.
The story's primary antagonist, Molly's cruel uncle, is a proper nasty piece of work. His relentless pursuit of Molly and her unlikely travel companions Yukio and Greta adds a chilling tension to the narrative. Yet, despite the countless harrowing events she witnesses and endures, Molly maintains an inspirationally sunny and pertinacious disposition that lights up the darkest moments of the tale.
Dalton's narrative style is nothing short of magical. His depth of detail breathes vitality into what could become a same-same backdrop of endless Australian bushland. The story reads like something of a myth or legend, with Molly embarking on a treasure hunt guided by the sky itself. The sky "talks" to her and sends her "sky gifts” to aid her along the way. This infusion of wonder and the supernatural into the harsh realities of Molly's life creates a unique and captivating blend that kept me hooked until the very end. Worth noting is that Dalton’s consultation with relevant Aboriginal communities is evident: in weaving the mystical “Longcoat Bob” into his tale, he has demonstrated sensitivity and tact via incorporating aspects of existing Aboriginal lore. Although Dalton’s tale is a work of fiction, and he embellishes his work with flourishes of magical realism, Indigenous culture is referenced respectfully.
"All Our Shimmering Skies" is a beautifully crafted novel that explores themes of hope, resilience, and love. Open your heart to the novel’s protagonists, soak up the arresting imagery, bask in Dalton’s sumptuous language, and lose yourself in a delightful tale. Highly recommended.
The story's primary antagonist, Molly's cruel uncle, is a proper nasty piece of work. His relentless pursuit of Molly and her unlikely travel companions Yukio and Greta adds a chilling tension to the narrative. Yet, despite the countless harrowing events she witnesses and endures, Molly maintains an inspirationally sunny and pertinacious disposition that lights up the darkest moments of the tale.
Dalton's narrative style is nothing short of magical. His depth of detail breathes vitality into what could become a same-same backdrop of endless Australian bushland. The story reads like something of a myth or legend, with Molly embarking on a treasure hunt guided by the sky itself. The sky "talks" to her and sends her "sky gifts” to aid her along the way. This infusion of wonder and the supernatural into the harsh realities of Molly's life creates a unique and captivating blend that kept me hooked until the very end. Worth noting is that Dalton’s consultation with relevant Aboriginal communities is evident: in weaving the mystical “Longcoat Bob” into his tale, he has demonstrated sensitivity and tact via incorporating aspects of existing Aboriginal lore. Although Dalton’s tale is a work of fiction, and he embellishes his work with flourishes of magical realism, Indigenous culture is referenced respectfully.
"All Our Shimmering Skies" is a beautifully crafted novel that explores themes of hope, resilience, and love. Open your heart to the novel’s protagonists, soak up the arresting imagery, bask in Dalton’s sumptuous language, and lose yourself in a delightful tale. Highly recommended.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Violence, Death of parent, and War
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Domestic abuse, Gore, Suicide, Car accident, Murder, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Rape
anna_hepworth's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I went into this book with minimal knowledge about what I was getting in to. I knew Dalton had got great reviews for previous work, that this was about the bombing of Darwin during WWII, and that was pretty much it. I picked it up in an op-shop, because I needed something to read on a plane, and it looked interesting.
Such a good choice. Despite the fact that there is a laundry list of content warnings (see below) and in the hands of another author this story might have been a psychological thriller, this is a beautifully written story about love and perseverance. There are no 'surprises' of the type I hate in thrillers, and the writing is poetic, veering in to magical realism.
While I'd like to write a nuanced and informative review, I got to the end of the book and went 'wow'. Fabulous characterisation, a careful mix of cultural groups, amazing visceral descriptions of landscape, a plot that meanders coherently and engagingly, beautiful writing. I can see this being a book that gets taught in schools, because there is so much to unpack, so much imagery and interesting parallels.
Such a good choice. Despite the fact that there is a laundry list of content warnings (see below) and in the hands of another author this story might have been a psychological thriller, this is a beautifully written story about love and perseverance. There are no 'surprises' of the type I hate in thrillers, and the writing is poetic, veering in to magical realism.
While I'd like to write a nuanced and informative review, I got to the end of the book and went 'wow'. Fabulous characterisation, a careful mix of cultural groups, amazing visceral descriptions of landscape, a plot that meanders coherently and engagingly, beautiful writing. I can see this being a book that gets taught in schools, because there is so much to unpack, so much imagery and interesting parallels.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Racial slurs, Murder, and War
Moderate: Physical abuse and Racism
Minor: Drug use, Sexual violence, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, and Injury/Injury detail
My notes while writing this read: death of parent, grave robbing, physical and emotional abuse of child, racism, period typical slurs, implications of sexual violence (not clear if rape), alcoholism, drug use, physical violence between adults, mentions of sex work, being on the ground in a bombing raid plus the aftermath (including dismembered bodies), abandonment of a minor, attempted murder, attempted rape, drowning, murder (graphic), eye damage and other dismemberment due to leprosy plus forced institutionalism of lepers, delirium tremendous, infected wound (graphic description), possible abandonment of child, mentions of suicide,quirkyaquarian's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death of parent, War, and Injury/Injury detail
More...